NorCal FJs Summer 2007 Trail Run Planner

[Boss73]

Swingshiftworker previously said:

Looking at the map, the most direct route is: I-5 South down to Hwy 58 East to Bakersfield and then Barstow, then I-15 to Hwy 247 South from Barstow to Lucerne Valley and then Hwy 18 South at Lucerne Valley to Big Bear. Mapquest says it's 475 miles one-way from San Francisco to Big Bear Lake and estimates drive time at 7.5 hours (which is an average of 63 mph).

I think I can do it in 6 hours or so, averaging about 80 mph, but it's still a long haul. I'll probably be leaving SF around 8-9am on Friday 11/16, but will cancel if the prediction calls for rain or snow in Big Bear over the weekend. Just not worth it to me to drive 950 miles RT under those conditions.

Have you ever gone 101 to 46 to 5.. I use to go that way from laguna Seca down to Cali speedway in fontana (real close to Big bear mtn).... I am not sure if its quicker comming from where you are SF but its seemed to cut out some of the time.. But then again there are alot of different ways to get down that way..

[Swingshiftworker]

Boss73 previously said:

Have you ever gone 101 to 46 to 5.. I use to go that way from laguna Seca down to Cali speedway in fontana (real close to Big bear mtn).... I am not sure if its quicker comming from where you are SF but its seemed to cut out some of the time.. But then again there are alot of different ways to get down that way..

Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't think it would save any time. I think that it would actually take more time to go that way from San Francisco.

I've driven Hwys 101/46 to and from Bakersfield before and road speed would probably average 60-65 at best. Hwy 101 is fairly quick down to Gilroy, but is very slow and congested fom Gilroy down to Hwy 46 at Paso Robles. Do you recall that James Dean died on Hwy 46? That's one of the reasons it was called "Blood Alley." Too many fatal accidents there. So, they divided that 2 lane road (like they did to Hwy 37) to prevent passing and traffic is very so slow going that way, as a result.

Anyway, it should take about 3.6 hours (287 miles/80 mph) to drive from SF to Bakersfield (via I580/I5) and about 2.7 hours (188 miles/70 mph) to drive from Bakersfield to Big Bear (via Hwy 58/247/18), or a total of about 6.3 hours to drive the entire route. Allow an hour or so for gas/food/traffic and toilet stops (and shave a little time for higher speeds here and there) and it's still at least a 7-8 hour trip all together.

A long drive, but it'll be fine as long as it doesn't rain or snow.

[woooody]

I drove from the Hammers (Lucerne Valley) back to Vallejo, towing a trailer, in 6 hours. But also only 8 MPG

There are stretches along 46 and 15 where you can get flying, but it can also get really windy.

As we get closer, let's firm up a departure. I'd definitely like to caravan down.

[Boss73]

I've driven Hwys 101/46 to and from Bakersfield before and road speed would probably average 60-65 at best. Hwy 101 is failry quick down to Gilroy, but is very slow and congested fom Gilroy down to Hwy 46 at Paso Robles. Do you recall that James Dean died on Hwy 46? That's one of the reasons it was called "Blood Alley." Too many fatal accidents there. So, they divided that 2 lane road (like they did to Hwy 37) to prevent passing and traffic is very so slow going that way, as a result.


A long drive, but it'll be fine as long as it doesn't rain or snow. [/quote]

Yeah I use to point out that spot to all of the new guys when we would drive down for the race. I guess its eight hours no matter what (unless you got the Valintine 1, then you have your protective shield around you)
One tiem I made it from LAguna Seca to Hover Dam in six hours.. I think we were doing triple digit speeds most of the way out for that one..

[Swingshiftworker]

woooody previously said:

As we get closer, let's firm up a departure. I'd definitely like to caravan down.

I'm leaving Friday 11/16 around 8-9am. Send me a PM around 11/14, if you want to try to hook up for the ride down to Big Bear.

[potatomutato]

wow, three trail runs/events in one weekend?! nice!